Eric Clapton pays tribute to JJ Cale on new album

NEW YORK (AP) — Eric Clapton is paying tribute to his late friend and collaborator J.J. Cale with a new album.

Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, John Mayer and others lend a hand on "The Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale," due out July 29. The album includes 16 Cale songs reimagined by Clapton and the all-star group of friends.

Cale, architect of the Tulsa Sound and a widely influential figure in rock 'n' roll history, died last year at 74.

Clapton turned Cale's "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" into major hits and the two recorded and collaborated together. Others on the album include Mark Knopfler, Derek Trucks and Cale's wife, Christine Lakeland.

Clapton says in a statement that he wants to bring more attention to Cale: "I'm just the messenger."